External - Posting Description

Biologist, Aquatic Community Ecologist (B) - 516642

Organization: Chief Operating Officer

Department: Biological Compliance

Location: Tennessee Valley

Position Mobility: This is a hybrid position.

Relocation: Relocation benefits are not offered for this position.

Posting Open: 05/23/2024

Posting Close: 06/06/2024 at 11:59 pm EST

Salary: Competitive

This position will support TVA actions and programs to ensure compliance with the Clean Water Act (CWA) and includes moderate travel within the TVA power service area. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in stream assessments, wetland delineations, CWA regulations and GIS programs.

Job Summary

Serves as biologist/project leader for TVA projects as relates to aquatic community ecology, including a wide variety of aquatic resource assessment and management activities potentially involving all types of aquatic communities found in the southeastern United States. Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assesses impacts of TVA actions to aquatic communities, which includes review of information, conducting field studies, analysis of trends, compiling results into NEPA and other compliance and monitoring documents and consulting with appropriate federal and state resource agencies.
• Participates in a wide variety of office and field operations by providing technical support in the collection, analysis, and preparation of draft stewardship and management reports. Makes recommendations and implements activities relating to the protection, monitoring, and management of aquatic communities to ensure their proper stewardship.
• Provide advice on aquatic community issues as related to TVA activities.
• Provides planning, budget development and monitoring support, and implementation of projects related to aquatic communities potentially impacted by TVA projects. May provide supervision in negotiating and preparing contracts.
• May direct technical work of other biologists, technicians, and contract employees engaged in collection of data and/or completion of assigned projects and activities. Provides technical review and guidance to other operations.
• Participate on, or lead interdisciplinary teams as needed, utilizing established procedures and processes to solve problems, such as analyzing work processes; provides innovative thinking to develop new processes/procedures.
• Maintains good working knowledge of and relationship with professional biologists in and outside the region. Participate in professional organizations.

Supervision Received

Assignments are usually received orally from supervisor or Manager. Supervisor or Manager reviews work for overall completeness and to determine if work meets program goals and objectives and completed in a timely manner. Work is, however, not reviewed for technical accuracy. Incumbent is generally expected to work independently with minimum supervision. The incumbent handles problems or changes that occur in the field. General policy, agency management plans, and regulatory guidelines provide the framework in which incumbent directs or performs work.

Skills and Proficiencies (May be job or organization specific)

• Develop/implement new technologies or approaches to solving complex scientific/resource management problems
• Demonstrated knowledge of biological and ecological concepts, principles, and their application
• Oral/written communications
• Negotiate, prepare, and administer some contracts
• Ability to direct others
• Direct the application of scientific principles in integrated management approach
• Working knowledge of environmental laws and other regulatory issues & constraints
• Design, budget, organize, and implement field research investigations
• Use PC for data analysis, word processing, and spreadsheet development

Minimum Qualifications (Consistent with Classification Standard)
Education and Experience/Certificates, Licenses, and Registration Requirements/Other Requirements

Advanced degree in aquatic ecology, fisheries, zoology, or closely related field, from an accredited college or university coupled with several years experience in a lower-level position or equivalent experience.

Must have demonstrated proficiency in aquatic community ecologist biology as evidenced by completion of COO Scientific Progression Program or equivalent post graduate education and experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity

TVA values and embraces diversity. We encourage all individuals to apply regardless of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, sex, abilities/disabilities, sexual orientation, religion, veteran status and age. We strive to be inclusive of all the people we serve across the Valley.

TVA is an Equal Opportunity employer and complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding equal employment opportunities. Any applicant or employee who believes s/he has a discrimination claim (including harassment or retaliation) must contact TVA’s Equal Opportunity Compliance office within 45 calendar days of the event or action s/he believes to constitute discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.

Drug-Free Workplace
All TVA Non-Nuclear employees are covered by TVA's Federal Drug-Free Workplace Program Plan, in accordance with Executive Order 12564, Public Law 100-71 and the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing. Information regarding the Drug Free Workplace Program can be found at www.samhsa.gov/workplace. TVA Non-Nuclear employees in Testing Designated Positions, including those performing safety-sensitive duties are also subject to random drug testing. TVA Nuclear employees are subject to random alcohol and drug tests in accordance with 10 CFR Part 26 as mandated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

How to Claim Vet Preference

If you are requesting to be considered as a preference-eligible veteran as outlined in the application process, you must submit your military documents before the posting close date indicated above. Be sure to include all supporting documentation: Form DD214 (member 2 or member 4 copy), a Veterans Disability Rating Letter from the VA (if applicable), and a completed form TVA 3595. If you will not get your DD214 until you are separated or retired, you can request a Statement of Service through your military personnel office. The Statement of Service must list your dates of military service, character of service, expected date of separation and any service-connected disability rating that you have been awarded from your branch of military service. Please submit your military documents each time you apply for a position.

How to Submit Documentation:

1. Upload documents in Step 8 of the application process.
2. Email documents to careers@tva.gov

More information about preference eligibility and a link to form TVA 3595, can be found at https://www.tva.gov/Careers/Claiming-Veteran-Preference. If you have a question about preference eligibility, please email Careers@tva.gov.